LeBron James Concerned About His ‘Baby Lungs’ Ahead of 23rd Season Debut

LeBron James is gearing up make his 2025-26 season debut in the Los Angeles Lakers' home clash against the Utah Jazz.

LeBron James Concerned About His ‘Baby Lungs’ Ahead of 23rd Season Debut

LeBron James is about to play his 1st game this season (Image via FirstSportz)

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LeBron James has never missed any of the 22 opening nights he has been in the NBA. His 23rd was different, as he suffered from sciatica, which kept him out for so long.

Some have trolled the Los Angeles Lakers superstar for suffering an injury that older people usually deal with. Since his body has undergone wear and tear more than any other athlete in the sport, they felt age was finally catching up with the otherwise highly conditioned athlete.

Over the past few days, James was assigned to the team’s G-League affiliate, which led teammate Austin Reaves to joke about the King and his son, Bronny James.

Now, with the team back home, the all-time leading scorer is set to make his season debut. During the Lakers’ practice, one reporter asked LeBron James if his conditioning was where he would like it to be.

My lungs feel like a newborn baby. I’ve got to get my lungs back up to a grown man.

LeBron James replied

He then reiterated that other than his stamina, he feels good about his body. Since there is still time before the game starts, he and the training staff will observe and then decide how long he will play.

That answer points to the possibility of the all-time leading scorer to come off the bench, or start, and then hand it over to the players who are already in rhythm.

LeBron James claps back at Charles Barkley over sciatica joke

More or less every reporter at the Lakers’ facilities knew that Charles Barkley had joked about the sciatica injury and how it was normal for older athletes to face it. When asked about it, LeBron James replied:

I had it two years ago. If you had it, then you know what the hell it is about. If you ain’t never had it, and people making jokes about it, I pray you never get it, it’s not fun.

LeBron James said

This answer was indirectly directed at Barkley, as the Hall of Famer was the only former player to openly joke about James’ sciatica. The Lakers star ended his reply with a reminder that one should not joke about such injuries, as they can be painful.

This marks another time when the 4-time league MVP has responded to one of the Hall of Famers’ many barbs at him. James did not take the aggressive route this time.

LeBron James not concerned about Lakers’ role

When LeBron James was seated courtside, his Lakers enjoyed a terrific run of form, which saw Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves become the de facto primary two scorers.

LeBron James with Lakers teammates on the bench
LeBron James with Lakers teammates on the bench (Image via Lakers Daily/X)

Now, as the 40-year-old is about to return, many expressed concern over his role and whether playing him would disturb the rhythm, his teammates are currently in.

Don’t matter, I’m a ball player… I’ve never had a position… Spo (Erik Spoelstra) always used to say, positionless basketball… There’s not one team, one club, in the world that I can’t fit in and play for. I can do everything on the floor.

LeBron James said

The father of three remarked that he was never taught to focus on one particular position. That will enable him to do whatever the Lakers need him to do.

Last season, he adjusted well after Doncic arrived. This time, head coach JJ Redick should have something else in mind, especially as Reaves and a few others have given him multiple options.

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